Elyna set down a bowl of fruit. “Harmony, everyone keeps talking about your arrangements. I don’t know how you pulled it off after that storm.”
Sandy nodded. “You saved the wedding, sweetheart. Petals and Pines has never looked better.”
Harmony smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks. Really.”
For a moment, the room felt normal, easy and familiar. Like the world outside these walls wasn’t shaking beneath our feet.
Then the door opened. Noah Tremblay stepped in with a box tucked under one arm and that easy, boy-next-door smile. It was the kind people trusted too quickly. Too easily.
“Hope I’m not interrupting,” he said. “Pierre, you asked me to drop off the festival signage.”
Dad stood, shaking his hand. “Perfect timing. Everyone, this is Noah, he’s coordinating the vendor layouts for the Harvest Festival.”
Noah’s gaze swept the room before landing on Harmony. “I heard the wedding yesterday was picture-perfect,” he said, setting the box on the counter. “Figured you had a hand in that, considering the floral setup.”
“Petals and Pines supplied everything,” Harmony replied.
“Not surprised.” His smile deepened. “You’ve got an eye for detail.”
Harmony tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “I just help Sandy.”
“Still,” he said lightly, “it’s good to see someone making beauty out of Val-Du-Lys again.”
Most people would hear kindness. To me, something in it felt too… measured.
Like he was taking inventory.
Dad didn’t notice. Becket didn’t either. They were talking logistics, tent layouts, cider booth placement. But Noah wasn’t looking at the festival plans anymore.
He drifted toward the porch window, pausing just long enough for unease to slide down my spine. His gaze moved across the orchard in a slow, intentional sweep before turning toward the worker cabins in the distance.
The festival wasn’t on Maple Valley property. There were no tents to plan here.
He didn’t need to be studying anything.
“Mind if I walk the grounds?” Noah asked casually. “I love the crisp fall air and the grounds here are so beautiful.”
Dad nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”
Harmony stiffened almost imperceptibly. She didn’t look at Noah, but her hand curled into the hem of her sweater, knuckles white.
When Noah stepped outside, Sandy clucked her tongue. “Nice young man. Always offering to help.”
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Real helpful.”
Becket raised a brow. “Problem?”
“Probably nothing.” My grip tightened on my mug.
“He’s been back home about a year,” Becket said. “Should be harmless.”
Harmless.
Funny how the people who looked harmless were often the ones you needed to watch. The brunch broke apart in waves. Bean chased Braden around the table while Luc nursed a second cup of coffee. Dad and Sandy slipped onto the porch, laughing about something only they understood.
Harmony stood to gather plates too quickly and purposely, which told me she was nervous about something.
“I should get going,” she said. “Sandy, I’ll meet you at the shop in an hour.”
